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Chapter 15 - Chapter 15 – The Dawn of Elysium

The morning sun spilled through the half-drawn curtains of Kaito's inn room, painting gold lines across the floorboards. The air smelled faintly of rain from the night before, and the faint chirp of birds outside almost made him forget the ache in his shoulders.

Elenya was still curled up in her bed, the blanket pulled all the way to her chin. Her bow leaned against the wall beside her pack, clean and oiled from last night's work. For a moment, Kaito just sat at the edge of his bed, rubbing the sleep from his eyes and muttering to himself,

"Ain't felt this sore since hay season back home."

A knock came at the door — sharp and deliberate.

"Come on in," he called, voice rough from sleep.

Talia stepped inside, her white-blond hair tied back in a quick braid, emerald eyes still soft from morning. She wore her adventurer's coat half-buttoned and had a slip of parchment in hand.

"Morning," she said, smiling. "Guild clerk's lookin' for us. Mira said the Guildmaster himself wants to see you."

Kaito raised a brow. "Guildmaster, huh? Don't reckon I'm in trouble already?"

Talia smirked. "Not unless you robbed the noble we just saved. But they said to bring the whole team. I figured I'd start here."

He chuckled, tugging on his boots. "Well, can't be worse than explainin' how we blew up half that kobold den."

Elenya stirred at the sound of voices, blinking awake. "Mornin'... is it breakfast time?"

"Almost, sugar," Kaito said, ruffling her hair. "But sounds like we got business first."

---

Brisden's Adventurer's Guild was busier than ever that morning — clatter of boots, laughter, and the smell of ale and ink mixing in the air. Kaito led Elysium through the crowd, Elenya sticking close by his side as Talia, Darrun, and Marin followed behind.

Mira Talwen spotted them immediately and waved them toward the back. "He's waiting for you in the office. Don't keep him too long, he's got the patience of a griffon on tax day."

Inside, the Guildmaster's office was lined with maps and hunting trophies. Arden Voss, a tall man with streaks of gray through his dark hair, looked up from a stack of reports. His eyes were sharp — the kind that saw more than they said.

"Kaito. Team Elysium," he greeted. "You did well on that kobold assignment. The noble's report was glowing."

"Appreciate it, sir," Kaito said, scratching the back of his neck. "Didn't expect it'd be that big of a mess down there."

Arden's smile faded slightly. He opened a folder and slid a parchment across the desk. It was a rough sketch of the kobold cave — strange runes drawn along the walls, jagged and angular, almost pulsing on the page.

"These marks were found at the scene," Arden said. "You might've noticed them yourself."

Talia leaned closer, frowning. "That's not kobold work."

"Correct," Arden said. "We've had three more reports from the north — same markings. Organized kobold packs, weapons they couldn't have forged themselves, and something else..."

He reached into his drawer and produced a broken black scale, as long as a man's finger. It shimmered faintly with an oily sheen.

Kaito's country drawl softened, the humor leaving his tone. "That from somethin' alive?"

Arden nodded once. "We believe so. And whatever it is — it's coordinating them. If this keeps up, the border towns won't last the season."

He leaned back, studying Kaito for a moment before adding, "Your party showed promise. I want to know if Elysium would be willing to take on higher-level missions in the near future. Officially."

Kaito exhaled, thumb tapping the hilt of his sword. "We'll think on it, Guildmaster. Ain't one to back down from work that needs doin'."

Arden smiled faintly. "Good. You'll be hearing from me soon."

---

The team returned to the guild tavern, exhaustion replaced with laughter. Darrun had a mug in each hand, Marin hummed a tavern tune, and Elenya was devouring a plate of stew like it might disappear if she blinked.

Talia raised her cup. "To Elysium — the newest official party of Brisden!"

The others cheered, mugs clinking. Even Kaito joined in, though his eyes drifted toward the guild's quest board.

A new parchment had just been pinned up by Mira — its wax seal marked with a crimson insignia, the same rune from the kobold cave.

Kaito's grip on his mug tightened. He didn't say a word, just smiled faintly and muttered under his breath,

"Guess Elysium's got work to do."

The lanternlight flickered across the board as the laughter carried into the night — the dawn of something far bigger than any of them could yet imagine.

End of the Brisden Arc

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